Pictures

This is Kimball playing in the snow in June up at Powder Ridge.  I couldn't believe how much snow was still up there and yes it was a bit chilly.

Trent is being his goofy self out on the porch of the condo we were staying at.  We played at the pool quite a bit and then they had so much fun watching cartoons we don't get on our limited TV.

I took Sam and Kimball's picture while we were waiting for Trent and his school class to get to the Dinosaur Park.  Sam kept asking if the dinosaurs were real and would they eat him?  He stuck his hand into one of the dino's mouth, and asked me if the dinosaur was going to bite him?  I said no, but there is a snake in there.  He pulled his hand out super fast.  Nope no snake. Just a mean mom.

Got all three of them together.  Cameron was at his own field trip getting completely scorched by the sun.  These guys had a really good time running around and then playing on the playground of dinosaurs, digging in the sand for fossils, and learning.

Shawn and I --pic taken by Cameron-- at our campout in Diamond Campground.  Why is the highlight sleeping in a tent and lighting fires?

This is out of order but I'm not switching it--too much work.  Here Kimball and Trent are digging and panning for gold.  Kimball really liked this part because he is obsessed about getting some gold and selling it to earn lots of money quickly.  Unfortunately, the gold here isn't real.  Just rocks.
(At the Dino Museum)

Here we are up at Mystic Hot Springs.  We saw a large snake right next to where we were sitting--it went under the rock next to us, and a little baby snake in the water that Shawn picked up and chucked downstream.  It took Trent an hour to get over the snake bit...and even then he wouldn't go near where the baby snake was sighted.  Bear had a great time running in and around the water...and he slept really well that night too.  In fact, Kimball and Trent fell asleep iin the car ride back to camp.

Cameron, Kimball and Trent eating something around the fire.  They were taking Bear for a walk--that is the Gentle Leader on his nose-it prevents him from taking an arm off (pulling) while he is walked.  I always have the kids use it or Bear, with his 80+ pounds of muscle, could take them for a 'fly' instead of walk.

Sam on the hike.  He walked the WHOLE two miles up and two down (Shawn carried him last year and he was heavy then).  He got soaking wet at the hot springs and had a great time.  He also stayed with Shawn the whole time too because "I like Dad."  (not mom)

Cameron is growing up fast.  He is sitting in MY chair though.  And he didn't get out.  And he ate lots of marshmallows and chocolate.  And sacrificed quite a few too (not as many as Trent and Sam did though).

Camping Hot Springs

We decided to take a tradition in the making trip down to Spanish Fork--Diamond Campground. Last year, we hiked up to the hot springs there-and so we did it again this year.
We took off on Thursday and drove the little ways. Cameron helped set up the tents, and the other kids got the stuff out of the car and loaded up the tents. Kimball and Trent had their own tent-if you don't count Bear hogging the space in there too. Shawn, Cameron, Sam and I all shared the big tent. The two cots fit in there way better that the 3-4 person tent. Just so you know, when they say 3-4 person, do they mean 3-4 of Sam? or Cameron? or a huge 350 lbs. male? Sleep was scarce the first night as we settled in. This was after an exciting night of sitting by the fire sacrificing marshmallows, attempting to cook hot dogs, and keep Bear away from any food that wasn't his (which was all of it). Sam got cold, Kimball couldn't get the tent zipper to work, Cameron got cold because he didn't want to use a sleeping bag and opted to only use ONE blanket, Trent can pretty much sleep through anything. That meant Shawn got little sleep too. I was fine.
Friday we got up, ate a leisurely breakfast, and prepped for the hike. I think it was a 5 mile round trip up to the hot springs. We brought out lunches and tons of water (I think it was a ton because I was carrying it!) and then droe to the trail head. The boys did remarkable. Sam was a little slow going, Trent was too, but Cameron and Kimball were leading the pack (with Bear). Bear had to be leashed because we were hiking next to a fast moving river and he loves to jump into unknown depths of water. After we finally arrived (Trent was asking us if we were there five minutes into the hike)--we saw a snake slithering around an enormous rock. This spooked Trent for quite awhile--toward the end he finally got into the water. Cameron and Kimball immediately found the warmest hot spring and "sprang" in. Shawn and Sam showed up about five minutes after us, and they went into the water as well. Bear was unleashed at this point, and did a incredible job of wearing himself out, with the jumping and frolicking he did in and all around the water. He didn't wander too far either which was a bonus for our tired legs.
I think downhill goes faster than uphill. Took us about an hour to make it down. And while the boys could pee along the way (having distance contests no less), Mom couldn't. So I couldn't wait to get to the bathroom back at the trailhead. Trent and I saw two snakes slither (they can't run you know) away from us coming down...one startled me but sure looked in a hurry to get away from US. Kimball and Trent fell asleep in the car on the 4 mile drive back to the campsite. Kimball actually slept for a long time-I woke them up for dinner but they wanted to go back to sleep. In fact, Trent kept asking when he could go to bed. I told Shawn we should have recorded THAT. It was more playing in the tent that actual sleeping.
The fires were the highlight (literally at night)when we "roasted" poor marshmallow, ate the chocolate, and didn't eat the graham crackers. Cameron asked Sam, "Do you want to grand crappers?" (meaning graham crackers of course). Cameron practiced his fire building skills--and did an excellent job. Sam lit his first match and completely freaked us out. Trent stole my stick. Kimball slept through the 2nd nights fire and story.
Although camping is a lot of work as a parent, it was enjoyable for both Shawn and I. For the most part. Not the fighting part, though.

I will post pictures when I get a new USB cord. The last one had a run-in with some play dough and lost.